Before Molly and Doug said “I do” at Spruce Saddle Lodge, they gathered with their favorite people for a relaxed welcome party at Grouse Mountain Grill in Beaver Creek. It was the perfect way to begin their wedding weekend. There were plenty of hugs, plenty of laughter, and, of course, a delicious taco bar waiting for everyone.
Molly looked incredible in a long, layered white-and-pink floral dress. It was feminine, colorful, and perfectly suited to a summer evening in the mountains.
Tacos, Drinks, and Time Together
One of my favorite things about photographing wedding weekends is getting to see the celebration unfold beyond the wedding day itself. A welcome party gives everyone a chance to settle in and spend time together before the big day. There is less of a schedule. People are arriving, catching up, meeting each other, and enjoying being in the same place.
For Molly and Doug, that meant an evening at Grouse Mountain Grill with good food and even better company. And then, as the night was winding down, we added one more thing to the itinerary.
A Little Wedding Dance Practice
As it turns out, the welcome party also became an impromptu first dance lesson. Before becoming a wedding photographer, I spent about 15 years teaching couples how to dance for their weddings. So when Molly and Doug mentioned wanting to include a dip in their first dance, I couldn’t resist putting those skills to use.
We practiced the dip at the end of the night, laughing our way through it and getting them comfortable enough to try it during their reception the following evening. And yes, they nailed it. Those little moments are one of the reasons I love photographing an entire wedding weekend. The story doesn’t begin when the ceremony starts. It begins when everyone arrives.
From Lake Dillon to Beaver Creek
Molly and Doug’s wedding weekend was the latest chapter in a story that began with their engagement session at Lake Dillon. We spent an evening together exploring the area with their adorable dog, Pickles, and it was such a fun introduction to the two of them.
See Molly & Doug’s Lake Dillon engagement session →
Then came the welcome party, followed by their beautiful wedding at Spruce Saddle Lodge.
See Molly & Doug’s Spruce Saddle Lodge wedding →
From their engagement session to tacos and dancing with their closest people, it was a weekend filled with the kinds of moments that make a wedding feel like more than a single day.
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